Imperial Biscotti Break | Evil Twin Brewing
Brewed by:
Evil Twin Brewing
New York, United States
eviltwin.dk
Style: American Imperial Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.50%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
The Roman Empire had a certain "je ne sais quoi" - festive food culture, extravagant architecture, and spectacular live entertainment. Some might argue the Emperors were brutal, mad, and hungry for power, and the people vain when taking baths and working out all day. Listen - that's still all part of the secret Imperial ingredient - keep it cool, clean, confident, arrogant, and flamboyant. Forza Imperiale.
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers
Ratings: 4,445 | Reviews: 688
4.37/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.54/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
A-Pure espresso black with a brown mocha head that is quite present and lush
S-Aroma is a muddled almond that is subdued
M-Thick, luscious and full bodied. Rich and bold.
T-Beautiful sweet and bitter balance overall with complimentary notes of almond and vanilla in a symphony of flavour
O-This is a wonderful beer! I say that quite unexpectedly as I was apprehensive of an over stimulus of extract and fake flavours. But this was not the case at all!! Really well crafted.
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look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
A-Pure espresso black with a brown mocha head that is quite present and lush
S-Aroma is a muddled almond that is subdued
M-Thick, luscious and full bodied. Rich and bold.
T-Beautiful sweet and bitter balance overall with complimentary notes of almond and vanilla in a symphony of flavour
O-This is a wonderful beer! I say that quite unexpectedly as I was apprehensive of an over stimulus of extract and fake flavours. But this was not the case at all!! Really well crafted.
473 characters
5/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
De Mikkeller shop. En copa Teku. Compartido con Carlos. Con queso, doritos y pizza. Riquisimamente con delicioso sabor cafetoso, dulce y suavisma en el paladar. Un autentica delicia que te deja con ganas de mas
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look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
De Mikkeller shop. En copa Teku. Compartido con Carlos. Con queso, doritos y pizza. Riquisimamente con delicioso sabor cafetoso, dulce y suavisma en el paladar. Un autentica delicia que te deja con ganas de mas
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3.89/5 rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
(16 oz can, batch #016 ... poured into a snifter)
L: dark brown liquid, black appearance; fleeting sizzly brown foam... no head retention (aside from thin collar), no lace
S: lots of coffee, bit of a vanilla-almond note as one would find in said biscotti... the roast is rough but mellow; doesn't smell overtly sweet/syrupy... the vanilla-almond combo opens up a bit more, smelling like a scented candle... little edge to the alcohol; overall smells like a coffee infused with a flavored cream (liqueur)
T: dark-roasty, espresso-like malt, with huge almond blast in the finish, vanilla fumes in its wake... delicate, vaguely-vinous fruity esters hanging on the palate in aftertaste, subtle spicy booze note as well... by the third sip, impression of sweetness enhances (and/or rather that of lame extract flavors?), dark crystal malt crust on a doughy cookie base... the malts open up, exposed to be thick and layered, but indistinct (similar enough to EMJ and other craft imp stouts)... the intensity of the extracts fade, simply coloring the hard coffee cookie, but its overall impact remains bold enough
F: has some lean meat on its bones but is thankfully not quite slick, sludgy, or syrupy... and with the booze either expertly tamed or weighed down by the malt milk, this is damn easy and smooth
O: interesting concept but hardly/barely crafted - this could be better: roastier, toastier, nuttier, like a damn biscotti, with a sharper, snappier finish - maybe the imp stout part gets in the way?... explosive flavor intensity but has that bloated, homogenous, concentrated, all-too-familiar (ET) imperial stout ... I dumped EMJ halfway through and this too - they're a bit much to drink; a reduction may work well...
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
(16 oz can, batch #016 ... poured into a snifter)
L: dark brown liquid, black appearance; fleeting sizzly brown foam... no head retention (aside from thin collar), no lace
S: lots of coffee, bit of a vanilla-almond note as one would find in said biscotti... the roast is rough but mellow; doesn't smell overtly sweet/syrupy... the vanilla-almond combo opens up a bit more, smelling like a scented candle... little edge to the alcohol; overall smells like a coffee infused with a flavored cream (liqueur)
T: dark-roasty, espresso-like malt, with huge almond blast in the finish, vanilla fumes in its wake... delicate, vaguely-vinous fruity esters hanging on the palate in aftertaste, subtle spicy booze note as well... by the third sip, impression of sweetness enhances (and/or rather that of lame extract flavors?), dark crystal malt crust on a doughy cookie base... the malts open up, exposed to be thick and layered, but indistinct (similar enough to EMJ and other craft imp stouts)... the intensity of the extracts fade, simply coloring the hard coffee cookie, but its overall impact remains bold enough
F: has some lean meat on its bones but is thankfully not quite slick, sludgy, or syrupy... and with the booze either expertly tamed or weighed down by the malt milk, this is damn easy and smooth
O: interesting concept but hardly/barely crafted - this could be better: roastier, toastier, nuttier, like a damn biscotti, with a sharper, snappier finish - maybe the imp stout part gets in the way?... explosive flavor intensity but has that bloated, homogenous, concentrated, all-too-familiar (ET) imperial stout ... I dumped EMJ halfway through and this too - they're a bit much to drink; a reduction may work well...
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2.85/5 rDev -34.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
To be honest, it wasn't my favorite and I couldn't finish it. I love stouts, but perhaps it was just the imperialness of the stout that I wasn't feeling this time.
Pours beautifully.
Taste is heavy licorice and reminds me of a whisky oak barrel aged beer. Strong alcohol presence.
I didn't get any flavor of almond or biscotti...
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
To be honest, it wasn't my favorite and I couldn't finish it. I love stouts, but perhaps it was just the imperialness of the stout that I wasn't feeling this time.
Pours beautifully.
Taste is heavy licorice and reminds me of a whisky oak barrel aged beer. Strong alcohol presence.
I didn't get any flavor of almond or biscotti...
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4.63/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.75
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.75
4.28/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
3.83/5 rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Batch #16. Not sure what date that translates into.
Pours a black body with a smallish head. Leaves a small ring of carbonation around the glass.
Nose of coffee, vanilla, crusty brownies. Roast is there too.
Much of the same as the nose. Coffee, vanilla, waxy nuttiness, roast, cola, hint of licorice. Dry finish.
Thin body, wish it were chewier. Not sure how they do it but another solid and flavorful stout.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Batch #16. Not sure what date that translates into.
Pours a black body with a smallish head. Leaves a small ring of carbonation around the glass.
Nose of coffee, vanilla, crusty brownies. Roast is there too.
Much of the same as the nose. Coffee, vanilla, waxy nuttiness, roast, cola, hint of licorice. Dry finish.
Thin body, wish it were chewier. Not sure how they do it but another solid and flavorful stout.
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4.5/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.02/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pretty good, but I prefer Even More Jesus and Even More Coco Jesus. These beers are great at around $4/16oz can. Will probably stick with Evil Twin's other offerings.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pretty good, but I prefer Even More Jesus and Even More Coco Jesus. These beers are great at around $4/16oz can. Will probably stick with Evil Twin's other offerings.
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3.75/5 rDev -13.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4.04/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Date: Batch #017, consumed on 09/20/18.
Appearance: It pours fairly black but has some dark brown around the edges and a fizzy fingers worth of head.
Aroma: Wow, every time I have this I am completely taken aback all over again because it smells exactly like quality biscotti. Sweet bread, huge almond aromas, medium roast coffee, a little chocolate, and vanilla extract. The reason I say vanilla extract is because there is a slight booziness that smells like a whiff of a bottle of extract. This really is the most accurate representations of food inspired beer on the market.
Taste: I have had this one several times and the first thing I notice is that it is much lighter on the mouthfeel than expected and the texture is very oily. Other than that, all of the aromas are here on the taste but with more chocolate on the back end. The coffee doesn't overwhelm the beer as it often can in stouts. The almond really takes center stage with this one, a sweet candy like almond. There is a good amount of sweetness but it isn't overdone like it can be in Prairie stouts, although a 16oz can can easily be shared. The finish is mostly dark brown sugary cake. I really enjoy these Evil Twin stouts but this, one of their most popular and highly rated, is probably one of my least favorites. The oily texture and thinness when compared to other stouts, such as Even More Jesus, keeps this from being a masterpiece it could be.
1,428 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Date: Batch #017, consumed on 09/20/18.
Appearance: It pours fairly black but has some dark brown around the edges and a fizzy fingers worth of head.
Aroma: Wow, every time I have this I am completely taken aback all over again because it smells exactly like quality biscotti. Sweet bread, huge almond aromas, medium roast coffee, a little chocolate, and vanilla extract. The reason I say vanilla extract is because there is a slight booziness that smells like a whiff of a bottle of extract. This really is the most accurate representations of food inspired beer on the market.
Taste: I have had this one several times and the first thing I notice is that it is much lighter on the mouthfeel than expected and the texture is very oily. Other than that, all of the aromas are here on the taste but with more chocolate on the back end. The coffee doesn't overwhelm the beer as it often can in stouts. The almond really takes center stage with this one, a sweet candy like almond. There is a good amount of sweetness but it isn't overdone like it can be in Prairie stouts, although a 16oz can can easily be shared. The finish is mostly dark brown sugary cake. I really enjoy these Evil Twin stouts but this, one of their most popular and highly rated, is probably one of my least favorites. The oily texture and thinness when compared to other stouts, such as Even More Jesus, keeps this from being a masterpiece it could be.
1,428 characters
4.19/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Picked up a single from the Craft Beer Hop Stop 6-21-18 for $4.25. Batch 016, no date.
Beer poured black with a very nice tan head that is leaving some lacing behind.
Nose has hints of chocolate and vanilla along with modestly roasted malts.
Taste is really well balanced with light hints of chocolate, vanilla, and almonds. Very light coffee astringency plays nicely in the background and balances the large but modestly roasted malt base.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied and very smooth.
Overall a really well balanced beer that makes for a nice sipper.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Picked up a single from the Craft Beer Hop Stop 6-21-18 for $4.25. Batch 016, no date.
Beer poured black with a very nice tan head that is leaving some lacing behind.
Nose has hints of chocolate and vanilla along with modestly roasted malts.
Taste is really well balanced with light hints of chocolate, vanilla, and almonds. Very light coffee astringency plays nicely in the background and balances the large but modestly roasted malt base.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied and very smooth.
Overall a really well balanced beer that makes for a nice sipper.
557 characters
4.32/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Batch #014 11:53, consumed 11/10/18
L: Pitch black with a small light tan head that left a small amount of spotty lacing.
S: Aroma is that of a nice imperial stout, mainly toasted caramel malts. Pick up a very little bit of sweet vanilla as well.
T: Taste is deeper and more satisfying than the aroma - pick up some coffee here along with chocolate, almond and more vanilla. Sweet malts with earthy hop notes as well.
F: Smooth, velvety, a perfect medium body with lower-level carbonation. Creamy and sweet. ABV extremely well-disguised.
O: Terrific imperial stout, especially at the price ($4/16oz. can). Absolutely recommended.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Batch #014 11:53, consumed 11/10/18
L: Pitch black with a small light tan head that left a small amount of spotty lacing.
S: Aroma is that of a nice imperial stout, mainly toasted caramel malts. Pick up a very little bit of sweet vanilla as well.
T: Taste is deeper and more satisfying than the aroma - pick up some coffee here along with chocolate, almond and more vanilla. Sweet malts with earthy hop notes as well.
F: Smooth, velvety, a perfect medium body with lower-level carbonation. Creamy and sweet. ABV extremely well-disguised.
O: Terrific imperial stout, especially at the price ($4/16oz. can). Absolutely recommended.
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4.35/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I’m now on my third 4 pack of 16 Oz pounders .
So far Twin Evil Brewing has really got me excited to try all of their offerings, now that they are available in my area .
These pour a nice dark black with a mocha head and huge lacing .
Nice smell but nothing overwhelming .
Taste is just wonderful with a nice full rich body and slick mouthfeel .
Highly recommended !!
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I’m now on my third 4 pack of 16 Oz pounders .
So far Twin Evil Brewing has really got me excited to try all of their offerings, now that they are available in my area .
These pour a nice dark black with a mocha head and huge lacing .
Nice smell but nothing overwhelming .
Taste is just wonderful with a nice full rich body and slick mouthfeel .
Highly recommended !!
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3.49/5 rDev -19.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Batch #016
06:31
Pours thick and viscous deep dark brown with a dark ivory head that bubbles up slightly, and falls back down just as quick. Not much residual lace, poured pretty cold.
Right out of the can, I get hazelnut, roasty coffee, and vanilla, but also an over abundance of chili peppers (which I double and triple-checked, this is not the chili hazelnut). Definitely odd, kind of throws off the intended pleasantries that I expected. As it warms, the aroma becomes sweeter and that biscotti profile starts to become easier to smell.
Definitely past it’s prime. Roasty coffee and malt take over, with a light vanilla backbone throughout. Still nutty, but it just dies off quickly and I’m tasting that metallic can as it settles on the tongue. I’ll try to be impartial with my rating as I know this can is old and this series is good.
Mouthfeel is a little thin, with a medium carbonation and sticky finish. Warm going down the hatch, subtle burn and bitter finish.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Batch #016
06:31
Pours thick and viscous deep dark brown with a dark ivory head that bubbles up slightly, and falls back down just as quick. Not much residual lace, poured pretty cold.
Right out of the can, I get hazelnut, roasty coffee, and vanilla, but also an over abundance of chili peppers (which I double and triple-checked, this is not the chili hazelnut). Definitely odd, kind of throws off the intended pleasantries that I expected. As it warms, the aroma becomes sweeter and that biscotti profile starts to become easier to smell.
Definitely past it’s prime. Roasty coffee and malt take over, with a light vanilla backbone throughout. Still nutty, but it just dies off quickly and I’m tasting that metallic can as it settles on the tongue. I’ll try to be impartial with my rating as I know this can is old and this series is good.
Mouthfeel is a little thin, with a medium carbonation and sticky finish. Warm going down the hatch, subtle burn and bitter finish.
982 characters
3.49/5 rDev -19.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
4.54/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Dark black with a small amount of dark tan head. Not to much lacing.
Smell is big coffee up front followed by chocolate, vanilla and nuts.
Taste follows the nose well. Coffee up front followed by the other flavors.
Little thin for me taste but it does have a good amount of carb and a crazy dry finish from the almonds.
Overall super enjoyable stout with some great flavors. It could be a bit thicker, but that's just picking nits.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Dark black with a small amount of dark tan head. Not to much lacing.
Smell is big coffee up front followed by chocolate, vanilla and nuts.
Taste follows the nose well. Coffee up front followed by the other flavors.
Little thin for me taste but it does have a good amount of carb and a crazy dry finish from the almonds.
Overall super enjoyable stout with some great flavors. It could be a bit thicker, but that's just picking nits.
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Imperial Biscotti Break from Evil Twin Brewing
Beer rating:
4.34 out of
5 with
4,445 ratings
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